Iraq War Flashcards
When was the Iraq war?
2003
Who was the Iraq war between?
USA + UK vs Saddam Hussein (leader of Iraq)
What strategy did the Coalition use?
Shock and Alex overwhelming military force
How did the Coalition prepare the battlefield?
EGBU-27 precision guided bombs dropped on Iraqi leaders
40 tomohawk missiles fired at military bases and intel headquarters
Special Forces destroyed observation posts, ports and gas and oil terminals
How did the Coalition perform the air attack?
300,000 bombs and missiles (70% smart weapons)
B-2 stealth bombers
How did the Coalition perform the ground attack?
US ground troops covered 1,000 km to reach Baghdad by 9 April
U.K. targeted Basra
15,00 US soldiers and 45,000 British troops vs 650,000 Iraqi troops
How did the British capture the city of Basra?
Gazelle helicopters used for recon
Lynx helicopters attacked enemy positions supported by tanks and harrier jets
Coalition drones detected 21 Iraqi tanks, alerted British HQ and they were destroyed by heavy artillery
Give 3 examples of high tech weapons used
US predator drones used for recon and bombing
Satellites (Satnet 4) intercepted Iraqi communications and gave commanders image of battlefield
F- 117 aircraft- stealth bombers undetectable by radar
Challenger tanks- night periscope and laser assisted guns
What is the Iraq war an example of?
Asymmetric warfare
Why did the Coalition win the Iraq war?
Better weapons- 1958 Iraqi tanks with 100mm guns too weak to knock out British challenger tanks, Iraqi fighter planes stayed on the ground
More money- USA spent $50 billion and U.K. spent £1 billion per year
What was Stage 2 and how long did it go on for?
Guerrilla warfare- 2004-11
Why did Guerrilla warfare carry on for so long?
Weapons could not control the population
